I'm back!

I just got back from a Thanksgiving trip with my family. I had a lot of fun, and it was nice to be together. We laughed a lot, we talked, revisited childhood memories, and stuffed ourselves (repeatedly). Of course, with any change of scenes, the opportunity to see things in a new light is presented. Consequently, I have been fueled with a number of new blog entries which you will probably be seeing in the near future. =)

Some time ago, the man my grandmother married (what does that make him? A step-grandfather, a grandfather in law, just some guy?) had a stroke. He recovered, but during his down-time he lost enough muscle that it made it difficult for him to walk. As a result, he ended up in a rest home where they could take better care of him. I went with my grandmother to pick him up and bring him back for Thanksgiving dinner. I have to admit, the sight was kind of sad.

The facilities where he was staying were very nice, and the nurses were friendly and caring. Still, it was full of people that spent each and every day (as far as I could tell) sleeping, eating, and watching TV. That was their life. If I had to endure that, I think I would go crazy. The thing that was truly sad about it, however, was that it was within their power and their control to live a more fulfilling life, they simply chose not to. Maybe it was a generational thing, or perhaps the desire to lay around watching TV comes more with age. At any rate, it made me realize the importance of people and of living a full life.

As I understand it, the man we went to pick up is incredibly well off. He had been able to accumulate millions in his career, and he could easily afford to hire personal assistants and to travel to the world. I suppose at this point in his life it may be overly physically taxing, and the interest may not exist, but it's still an opportunity lost. Many of the people there perhaps don't have that same opportunity, but therein lies a greater tragedy. They all have the option of loving and laughing. They could find a friend with whom they might share ideas, recount stories, and engage in enlightening conversations! I would much rather talk, laugh, and enjoy life than watch QVC or the golf channel. If there ever comes a day when I'm too old to move about or even take care of myself, I hope that I will still have an ounce of charm, a bit of whit, and the ability to love to and share a conversation with a friend. Even if that's all you can do, then you are still alive and making a difference.

That experience strengthened my understanding of the importance of people. Yes, of the importance of finding a good friend to spend each and every day with, but also just the importance of people in general. When we are old, we will probably end up doing the exact same things we do now, just without the going to work or school part. If we aren't interacting with people and sharing life now, then we probably won't when we are old either. So live life, love everyone, and never let a moment pass without finding cause to smile or brighten someone else's day!